Every child in Australia has the right to go to school and to feel like they belong, including children with disability. However, according to new research, almost one in five Australian parents are uncomfortable with their children sharing a classroom with students who have a significant intellectual disability.
The Endeavour Foundation’s new Inclusion Survey, which asked 1,000 Australians about their attitudes towards people with an intellectual disability, aims to ‘hold a mirror up to society'.
Endeavour Foundation CEO, Andrew Donne, said it was shocking that so many people were uncomfortable having their children share a class with a student with intellectual disability.
The survey also found that opinions were divided on whether special education or mainstream schooling was better for students with intellectual disability. Just over half (55 per cent) said they preferred special education schools, while 45 per cent said they preferred mainstream schools.
“Ultimately, there must be place for both options in our society based on individual need and choice,” wrote Mr Donne. “Families must be supported to make the choice that best meets their needs and schools must also have the funding and capability to support their decision.”
You can read more about this in an article on Education HQ’s website.
